According to the National Golf Foundation, green grass golf participation topped 28 million in 2024 — a seventh consecutive annual increase. And the increase was significant. The net increase of approximately 1.5 million golfers was the biggest single-year jump since 2000. Total golf participation (on- and off-course) climbed to 47.2 million in the U.S., a 5% gain versus 2023.

IN THIS ISSUE

> New GPS solution seeks to reduce courses' slow-play issues | Read
> Old is new again | Read
> PGA Show Notes: Greenup making the best of recycled coffee grounds | Read
> 2025 PGA Show: The Social Side — Wednesday | Read
> Omni seeks edge on the golf experience | Read
> PGA Show Notes: Making the driving range experience fun is Toptracer's mission | Read
> 2025 PGA Show: The Social Side — Demo Day | Read

POLL

> Does LIV Golf's new media rights deal with Fox Sports give the 3-year-old league more legitimacy? | Vote
> Previous: Do you believe golf’s leaders have done well in growing the game? | Results

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

What are your thoughts on LIV Golf's new media rights deal with Fox Sports?

Send replies on this question or other topics and questions you would like to have asked to shall@buffalogroupe.com. For a response to be published, you must include your first and last name, along with the city and state of residence.

> Responses to the previous question: Have golf industry leaders done a good job "growing the game" of golf, and in what ways would you expand the sport? | Read

RangeGoats Golf Club: Announces a team partnership deal with Swannies Golf, which will become the official on-course apparel partner of the LIV Golf team. The multiyear partnership will bring a fresh new look to the RangeGoats, captained by Bubba Watson. The team will start the season with five new custom team polos that are also available for fans to purchase at Swannies.co and on-site at LIV Golf events.

Bushnell Golf: Unveils the A1-Slope distance measuring device. Designed to include Slope-compensated distances, the ultra-compact A1-Slope delivers distance readings in a sleek, modern package. Features include Bushnell Golf’s Slope Technology to ensure precise distance adjustments for elevation changes and PinSeeker, which causes the device to vibrate when a golfer has located the pin. The device retails for $299.99.

Textron Specialized Vehicles: Now offers Pace Technology Walk, a new solution to enable golf-course owners and operators to track walking golfers and caddies on their course. Using Walk, operators can trace the location of walkers in real time, using the same Pace Technology platform used to manage vehicles and equipment. Walk complements existing Pace Technology solutions for E-Z-Go and Cushman vehicles, and provides golf course operators an even more comprehensive solution for managing operations and pace of play.

Cleeks Golf Club: Announces a brand evolution of its LIV Golf team, captained by Martin Kaymer. Akqa updated the brand positioning, identity and design to pay homage to the beauty and tradition of golf, while embracing the future of the sport. The name Cleeks originates from a traditional long iron golf club from golf’s earliest days, and Cleeks Golf Club aims to represent a bridge between golf’s storied past and its evolving future. The new brand expresses a deep respect for tradition while maintaining a contemporary feel, and symbolizes the intersection of heritage and modernity.

RELATED: Industry press releases | Industry press release videos
RELATED: The First Call / PR Newswire feed

> LIV Golf made a clever scheduling move. Is it a sign of the future?
[Sean Zak | Golf.com | Read]

> Netflix reveals star-studded cast for season 3 of ‘Full Swing
[Josh Schrock | Golf.com | Read]

> Eastside Golf names Annette Parker as first-ever head of marketing
[Julian Randall | MR | Read]

> Golf industry working together to grow the game
[NBC Sports | Watch]

VIDEOS

THE COACH MO GOLF SHOW
Merchandising mastery and mentorship
Grace Hurley, vice president of brand and national sales at Catapult, joins 'The Coach Mo Golf Show' to discuss leadership, branding and navigating a career in golf
[Watch | More "The Coach Mo Golf Show" episodes]

THE MODGOLF PODCAST
5 tips to help women get into golf
Birdies Babes Golf founder Courtney Campbell joins host Colin Weston to discuss ways in which the first-timer's intimidation factor can be mitigated
[Watch | More "The ModGolf Podcast" edpisodes]

PODCASTS

GOLF INNERVIEW WITH ANN LIGUORI
The rise of Concert Golf Partners
Guest: Jordan Peace, Concert Golf Partners senior vice president of corporate development
[Listen | More "Golf Innerview with Ann Liguori" episodes]

LIBRARIES: Podcasts | Videos

PGA Tour: Farmer Insurance Open
Site: Torrey Pines Golf Club (South, North), San Diego, California.
Television [ET]: Today, 3-7 p.m. (Golf Channel); Friday, 3-5 p.m. (Golf Channel), 5-8 p.m. (CBS); Saturday, 2-4 p.m. (Golf Channel), 4-8 p.m. (CBS).
GCSAA Fact Sheet

European Tour: Ras Al Khaimah Championship
Site: Al Hamra Golf Club, Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates.
Television [ET]: Today, 3:30-8:30 a.m. (Golf Channel); Friday-Saturday, 3:30-8 a.m. (Golf Channel); Sunday, 3-8 a.m. (Golf Channel).

> General Manager
Diamondhead Country Club
Diamondhead, Mississippi | Info

> PGA WORKS Fellow
Northern California Section
Vacaville, California | Info

> 2025 Long-Term Graphic Design Internship
United States Golf Association
Far Hills, New Jersey | Info

> The First Call Job Board

JANUARY
23-24: PGA Show, Orlando, Florida | Info

FEBRUARY
3-6: GCSAA Conference and Trade Show, San Diego, California | Info
5-9: Club Management Association of America World Conference and Club Business Expo, Tampa, Florida | Info

> View complete calendar

To submit events for the calendar, please include the event name, date, location and informational link to info@firstcallgolf.com.